Archive News
Improving Beagh much too strong for limited rivals
Date Published: 17-Sep-2009
A FINE first half showing from Beagh laid the foundation for a well-deserved victory over a disappointing Sarsfields outfit in this scrappy and, largely, uninspiring preliminary quarter-final played at Kenny Park on Sunday.
Once again, Beagh proved they are the giant-killers of Galway senior hurling, and after taking the scalps of Kinvara and Athenry in recent years, they recorded another outstanding victory when railroading Sarsfields last weekend.
While this clash was far from compelling viewing, any intensity and flair injected into the contest were done so by Nigel Harrington’s outfit. They were up for the battle from the off and by half-time had raced into a 1-10 to 0-4 lead.
To some extent, Sarsfields may look back and ponder what if? After opening the scoring through Sean Kelly in the opening minute, Pakie Cooney’s charges had the opportunity to bag a goal from the penalty spot a minute later.
All-Ireland winning minor hero Joseph Cooney made the incisive run which forced Beagh captain Kieran Diviney, who received a yellow card for the indiscretion, to haul him to ground. One would have put a sizeable wager on Kerril Wade to goal from the placed ball, but the effort was repelled and the chance was lost.
Beagh, on the other hand, took heart and they hit five unanswered points through Rory Gantley (free), Kevin Keehan (3) and Joe Gantley. One of those Keehan points came from a 20 metre free, which just rose high over the crossbar.
As it was, Beagh held a 0-5 to 0-1 lead after 17 minutes, and although Sarsfields rallied with Cooney and Wade (free) pointing efforts, the South Galway men outscored their opponents by 1-5 to 0-1 in the closing 10 minutes of the half.
Joe Gantley (2), Jamie Diviney, Rory Gantley (free) and John Moylan were the Beagh point scorers with Wade (free) posting the only retort in this time on 27 minutes. The Beagh goal arrived via the penalty spot three minutes into injury-time, when Jamie Diviney and Kevin Keehan combined to set up Moylan. He was subsequently fouled, presenting Keehan with the opportunity to net. This he did with a powerful effort.
While the opening period ended in disharmony – which arose from an off-the-ball incident – the half-time whistle took the heat out of the exchanges, allowing a certain element of calm to be restored for the second half.
Beagh appeared to pick up where they left off when Brendan Gantley pointed to extend his side’s lead to 10 points on 33 minutes, but Sarsfields, perhaps fearing a whitewash, dusted themselves down to hit an unanswered 1-4 in the next 10 minutes.